Searching for Melanin

In my journey to let the entire world know how strongly I feel about being a beautiful Black woman, I like to express myself through clothing and accessories. Catch my glow, love my fro and envy my clothes!

Here are some of the best online shops for WOC to show off their melanated pride!

Why I love it: If you’re not hip to Tees in the Trap, you must’ve been living under a social media-less rock. TITT (lol) combines some of my favorite things: cultural relevance + snarky phrases + simple yet conversational design. They also have collaborated with two of my fave sites: Awesomely Luvvie and Very Smart Brothas. Plus! There are mugs, phone cases, bags and freakin onesies … How could we ever go wrong?

Why I love it: I love beaded, stackable bracelets. Even more, I love when people take a close look at my accessories and see hints of my Black Pride all over the place. That reaction, whether good or bad, I can’t get enough of it! Yep, that’s right, I love my melanin!! Besides having cool message bracelets, you can shop for all colored beads as well – handmade and inexpensive.

Why I love it: As a thick girl with a bit of tummy and an almost non-existent waist, I love being able to wear a high-waisted skirt to show off my legs and create more shape. I also love the various patterns available on Grass-Fields that give Motherland without cheesiness.

Why I love it: When presented with the opportunity to represent and wear your history, will you be willing to take it? I surely will! I love that HF goes beyond the traditional Black history figures to highlight those that came before us that sometimes get overshadowed in typical conversation. Imagine donning a “Lumumba Taught Me” crewneck and someone walks up and asks you “Who or what is Lumumba?” and you now have the opportunity to teach someone something new, that’s hella dope! Bonus: You can create your own “Taught Me” shirt. You can highlight your favorite historical, personal or fictional person or couple. Personally, I’d get Whitley and Dwayne. And yes, I will beat you down if you steal that shirt from up under my nose!

Why I love it: Not only have I seen some shirts that I haven’t found anywhere else, I found shirts that truly resonate with my spirit. I mean, a tribute to Nas on a sweatshirt? That’s what I’m talking about!!

Why I love it: It pains me that the lists featured on these tees and prints are so long yet incomplete. But, these sons and daughters must be remembered. We cannot forget and we cannot stop talking about the deaths of Trayvon, Sandra, Rekia, Michael, Tamir, Aiyanna and others who died at the hands of police and in other racially motivated incidents. We must keep these conversations and the fight alive. We cannot shy away because of the pain, we will have to embrace it as a part of our history if we are ever going to move forward and find justice.

Why I love it: Rather than shop all over the internet and world for African prints, inspired clothes and jewelry, I can hit one marketplace that hosts multiple vendors. There is no way that I can not find something I want!